Vilnius to the Hill of Crosses

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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The Hill of Crosses, a small rise near the northern city of Šiauliai covered with tens of thousands of crosses left by pilgrims and visitors over more than a century, is one of Lithuania's most striking and unusual sights. It sits around 230 kilometres from Vilnius, which makes it too far for a casual half-day trip — the practical choices are a day tour that handles the whole route, or travelling independently to Šiauliai by train or bus and covering the final stretch by taxi or local transport.

The simplest way: an organised day tour

Because the Hill of Crosses is somewhat awkward to reach independently — it lies a few kilometres outside Šiauliai itself, with no direct public transport running right to the site — the most straightforward option for many visitors is a guided day tour from Vilnius. These typically run in a minibus or coach, include the return journey and often a stop in Šiauliai or another point of interest along the way, and remove the need to arrange local transport at the far end.

The trade-off is the same as with any packaged tour: a fixed schedule and less time to wander at your own pace once you arrive. Given that a full return trip from Vilnius is a long day either way, this is a reasonable compromise for travellers short on time.

Independent travel: train or bus to Šiauliai

Lithuanian Railways (LTG Link) operates train services between Vilnius and Šiauliai, with the journey taking a little over two hours. Regular coach services cover the same route, with similar or slightly longer journey times depending on the number of stops, and tend to run more frequently through the day than the trains.

Both options get you into central Šiauliai, but the Hill of Crosses itself is around 12 kilometres north of the city, off the road toward Joniškis and the Latvian border. There is no regular public bus running directly to the site, so from Šiauliai you will need a taxi (a round trip with waiting time is a common arrangement, agreed with the driver in advance) or, in summer, occasional seasonal shuttle services that some local operators run — check current availability locally, as these are not guaranteed to run in every season.

Driving

Self-driving from Vilnius takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours each way and is the most flexible option if you already have a hire car in Lithuania, since it puts you directly at the site with no local transport to arrange. The Hill of Crosses has a car park immediately next to the site. Combining the visit with a stop in Šiauliai itself, or continuing on toward the Latvian border and Riga, is a natural extension if you are touring the Baltic states by road.

How much time to allow

The site itself does not require long — most visitors spend 30 to 60 minutes walking among the crosses, though it rewards a slower, quieter visit rather than a rushed one. Including the return journey from Vilnius, a day trip by train or bus with a taxi connection realistically takes up most of a day, roughly 8 to 10 hours door to door. A guided tour typically runs on a similarly long schedule, since the distance itself is the main constraint regardless of transport mode.

What to expect at the site

The hill has no entry fee and is open at all times, with crosses of every size — from tiny pocket crosses to towering wooden ones — left by visitors of many faiths and none. The tradition dates back to the 19th century and became a quiet act of Lithuanian defiance during the Soviet period, when the authorities repeatedly bulldozed the hill and pilgrims repeatedly rebuilt it. A small stall near the entrance sells crosses if you wish to leave one yourself, which remains a common and welcomed tradition.

Which should you choose?

An organised tour is the easiest way to manage the distance and the awkward last few kilometres without arranging your own local transport. Travelling independently by train or bus to Šiauliai, followed by a taxi to the site, gives more control over timing and is straightforward if you're comfortable arranging a short taxi trip locally. Driving is the most flexible if you already have a car, particularly if you plan to continue north toward the Latvian border. For getting around Lithuania and the wider Baltics, see our guides to Vilnius to Riga, Vilnius to Kaunas and the Baltic states overland, or our Baltics by train guide for the wider rail network.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get to the Hill of Crosses by public transport alone?

You can reach Šiauliai easily by train or bus, but the final 12 kilometres to the hill itself generally requires a taxi, as there is no reliable year-round public bus service directly to the site. Some seasonal shuttles may operate in summer — check locally on arrival.

Is a day trip from Vilnius realistic, or should I stay overnight?

A day trip is doable but long, at around 8 to 10 hours door to door including the site visit. If your schedule allows it, an overnight stop in Šiauliai makes for a noticeably more relaxed trip and lets you see more of the city as well.

Is there an entry fee for the Hill of Crosses?

No, the site is free to visit and open at all times, as it is an open-air hillside rather than a managed attraction with gates or ticketing.

What is the best way to combine this trip with the rest of the Baltics?

Since Šiauliai sits roughly on the route north from Vilnius toward the Latvian border, travellers doing an overland Baltic loop sometimes combine the Hill of Crosses with onward travel toward Riga rather than backtracking to Vilnius. Check current cross-border bus links if you plan this route.